Well im about to freshen up the drivetrain on my 87 TII. I've already gotten an ACT extreme plate with the highest capacity organic disc, im looking at getting a flywheel now. I'd like to hear any opinions from people who use either the lightened steel or aluminum flywheels on the street.

 

I just posted a reply but looks like it didn't come through...anyhow:

I have heard that a lightened flywheel makes it more difficult to take off from a complete stop & makes your idle rough. Here is an article I got from mazdatrix.com :
http://www.mazdatrix.com/f-writng.htm .

 

You heard wrong! ... As long as you can slip the clutch it has absolutely no affect on streetability! Since you got a higher density disk, I'm assuming it's not a "puck" clutch, and an actual disk. If this is the case you will have no problem, and I suggest you go with the lightest flywheel you can afford. The drop in RPMs between shifts is not NEARLY is much as a piston engine due to repciprocating mass. I bought the lightened steel flywheel for durability reasons only! Meaning I don't want to warp my flywheel with 400+ ft/lbs of tq. If I could afford a cromoly flywheel I'd get one. I suggest you get an aluminum flywheel or a cromoly one if you can afford it.

This is my personal experience...

-Brian

 

i got one for 250$ 12lb mazdaspeed one, very nice flywheel for money. did not come with counter weight caus emy motor was a auto..

 

I ran an aluminum flywheel in my '79 Ltd. Ed. as my daily driver and I HATED IT! Pulled it, cleaned it up, turned it, and sold it. Then installed a lightened steel. WAYYYY better. Later got a '88 Vert, installed a lightened steel and very good results also.

Now, I'm talking about the issues of daily driving many times involving stop and go. Lack of mass in the Aluminum made stop and go REALLY tedious as you needed extra clutch slip to get going, otherwise you'd stall the engine. Lighten Steel seems to be the best of both worlds.

My vote, pass on aluminum and go for steel unless your driving is more weekend warrioring and very little weekday stop and go.

I will admit, the lighter the flywheel the more horses that get past it and to your tires.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

I disregarded a lot of the BS and decided to go aluminum and love it. That was 3 years ago and I still drive it...

I'm of the opinion that there are a lot of old wives tales regarding aluminum flywheels. If you drive aggressive street - get the aluminum - you'll love it!

PS: do a forum search - "aluminum flywheel". There's a lot of info...

 

I think Hozzman and Fedrex summed up both sides of the debate pretty well. I have a 9lb Alum. flywheel and I think it's ok. Really a pain in the *** with stop & go traffic here in CA. Other wise it's great for racing or spirited driving w/o alot of traffic. Now if you ask my brother he thought it was fine but it took alot of getting used to. Kinda like learning all over again to drive stick. So he would side with Fedrex. He just didn't like how fast the clutch plate wore out faster. Now he's gonna get a light weight steel one. We plan to swap if he doesn't like it. I'm not a huge fan of the Alum. Just my opinion and expierence. Good luck wth whichever way you go.

Sully

 

Thanks for all the input guys

Now it seems im down to deciding between aluminum and cromoly. I know there are 9.5 and 12lb aluminum flywheels available, but I havent really seen any weights given for cromoly. Also, im assuming cromoly is a bit more durable? What other differences are there?

thanks again

 

Cromoly is: Stronger than aluminum, therefore the mass of the flywheel can be reduced without compromising strength. http://www.rx7.com sells cromoly flywheels but I don't know the specs. I'm guessing in the 6-8 lb range, but you'll have to call or email them. We need evil aviator in here... he's got like a 2 or 3 lb flywheel :p . Oh, I forgot to mention cromoly is.... more expensive than aluminum!!

-Brian

 

I put the SR motorsports 9.5 lb. flywheel on my friend's car, along with the ACT street/strip clutch. He drives the car all of the time, and he's very happy with it. The acceleration in the lower gears is much better.

I have the same flywheel on my car with a Clutchnet 6 puck clutch with springs. Getting started can be a little tricky, but after that everything is fine. I use my car every day on a 35 mile commute. I think that the light flywheel helps the turbo spool a little quicker because the engine revs so much faster in the lower gears.

 

I love my aluminum flywheel with an ACT 6 puck clutch.

 

Hmm...I think im going to try cromoly, but who thinks they can find the best deal for me for either alum or cromoly?

So far RX7.com with the Bonez cromoly for $649 and the RX7store with a 9.5lb alum flywheel for $425 are the cheapest ive found

 

649!! i hope they send out a free thing of vasaline. call up corksport and see what they have. i paid 250 for a 12lb cromoly flywheel, i wouldnt have paid over 300 for one either.

 

i got a 12 lb. aluminum flywheel with counter weight from rx7.com and it is very streetable and fun to drive. the only thing i dont like is coming to a stop--if you got stop fast and your engine is revving boy does that rpm drop . but regardless its the bomb, very quick get up and go .

maybe you might get lucky like me i paid light steel price for my aluminum flywheel from rx7.com--i guess the shipping clerk must have been smokin some good ****. i believe i saved somewhere in the neiborhood of 100 or so dollars....i think.

anyway the aluminum one is a good buy!!!